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The 40th edition of the biennial 2007 Tokyo motor show is shaping up to one of the biggest ever staged. Japan’s automakers will be making full use of their home-turf advantage to launch a number of the most highly anticipated production models of the year, including the Nissan GT-R, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, and the latest Subaru WRX STI. And, of course, numerous concepts in flavors ranging from possible future production cars (Honda CR-Z, Suzuki Kizashi 2) to the off-the-wall, bizarre creations (Nissan Pivo 2, Honda Puyo) that the show has become famous for will be spinning on the Tokyo turntables.

Green continues to be in, and there’ll be no shortage of alternative-fuel vehicles on display, including Mazda‘s latest hydrogen-powered, rotary-engine machine and a hybrid SUV concept from Lexus among others. The German contingent is also making a bigger play at this year’s show, with concepts from BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen washing ashore.

This hotly anticipated, twin-turbocharged, all-wheel drive road burner is without doubt the star of Tokyo 2007. And with good reason: Nissan’s GT-R is a technological tour de force, a halo machine for the brand, and an enlightened approach to the supercar. Its 3.8-liter, twin turbocharged V-6 will crank out an estimated 473 horsepower in US trim, along with a beefy 434 pounds feet of torque. Backing this all new, purpose built powerplant is a 6-speed autoclutch manual transmission that uses fast and smooth-shifting dual clutch packs, like Audi/VW‘s fabulous DSG transmissions. And it’s mounted transaxle style in the rear for better weight balance. AWD is standard, in keeping with the car’s mission of every day, anywhere, anytime performance, no matter the road condition or weather. Technology abounds: a data tracking system records driver performance and coaches improvement. A memory system prevents illegal modifications that might hurt fuel mileage or emissions performance. US pricing will be announced at the LA auto show in mid-November, but it costs around 7.7 million yen in Japan, which is in the mid $70,000 range at current exchange rates. The GT-R casts about the same shadow as a Mustang, and is striking in the metal. It will count the Porsche Turbo, Corvette Z06, and Jaguar XKR among its competitive set, yet is different from all of them. US sales will begin in May/June. The GT-R’s project manager and chief engineer calls it an “all year long driving partner, and a superstar in any scene.” – Matt Stone

Surprising few but delighting many, BMW pulled the silk off of the next model in the M3 lineup. The M3 coupe hasn’t even hit US ports yet, and we now know that a four-door sedan variant will follow. From a specifications standpoint, it will be identical to the coupe, including that car’s 414 horsepower, high-winding V-8 engine and Sequential Manual gearbox. The coupe’s front and rear fascias are grafted on to the current 3 Series sedan’s body panels; all other suspension, brake, exhaust, wheel/tire, and interior components carry over as well. About the only trick bit that won’t make the crossing from coupe to sedan is the carbon fiber roof panel; perhaps BMW figures that if you need a sedan, you’ll be carrying more people with you anyway, so the few pounds saved by the high tech, high cost roof panel won’t matter. BMW never gave us a four-door version of the previous generation M3, but has recognized there’s sales volume and happy customers to be had here, so why not? Pricing announcements are pending, and as is the car’s on-sale date, but expect it to show up this spring. Can a hardtop/convertible M3 be far behind? Our answer would be no. – Matt Stone

We knew this wouldn’t take long. The 1 Series coupe has been nicknamed “The new 2002tii” since the world got its first look at it a few months ago. So BMW has gone with the flow, and trotted out a sportified version of it at Tokyo. It must have been a last minute addition to the company’s Tokyo plan, as there is neither a word nor a photo about it in BMW’s show press kit. But the formula is so obvious, so right, that it needs little explanation. As the fuel-injected tii was the sporty version of the 1968-1976 2002 model, so is the tii the sportiest interpretation (so far…) of the new new 1 Series. It wears aggressive body armor, including a naturally finished carbon fiber hood. The ride height is low, the rolling stock all business, and the interior boasts aggressive sport seats. There was no talk of powertrain or performace, as this is at this point just a design study. But the twin-turbo, 305 horse 135i Coupe is a serious enough place to start. Give it the M treatment, and a 350-375 horsepower, lightweight kick boxer shouldn’t be hard to make happen. Using the tii badge would be a breakaway from the usual M moniker, but a smart one in this case. BMW global design director Adrian van Hooydonk offered an interesting comment. “Think of the 1 Series like the Star Wars trilogy. In order to understand everything about the first movie, you have to see the third one. When you think of the 1 Series, consider this tii concept as the third movie.” We hope this one arrives in theaters, er, dealers, someday soon. – Matt Stone

The Taiki is a front-engine/rear-drive two-door powered by the next-generation of the Rensis rotary engine that continues the “flow” theme Mazda established last year with the Nagare, Ryuga, and Hakaze concepts. It is highlighted by a futuristic rear-end design, though its front-end is similar to that of the Nagare and Ryuga. Mazda says the Taiki “further advances and refines the theme through a fusion of the Nagare design concept and real-world technologies.”

This striking sedan could be viewed as a future step in the evolution of Nissan’s design language, and also as its take on the “four door coupe” ethos demonstrated by cars like Mercedes‘ CLS, and BMWs CS concept which made its debut in Shanghai earlier this year. The Intima is all about “Comfort, relaxation, fine quality and visual enjoyment” explains Product Chief Designer Kinichi Saito, and we agree. The interior is elegant and soothing; the exterior design is organic and well balanced. The surface detailing and jewelry are also clean. The headerless windscreen, which rolls its way back across the roof, isn’t a new styling touch; it’s already available on several production cars around the world. But the sweeping front glass adds elegance to the look of the body, and airiness to the cabin. Power comes from Nissan’s “Clean Diesel” V-6 which is under development. It is on target to meet California’s toughest emissions requirements, and earn an SULEV rating in the process. We don’t expect to see the Intima as a future production model, but it is clear evidence that Nissan’s world design director Shiro Nakamura is in full command of his design teams, and that good looking products are in the offing. -Matt Stone

The Suzuki Concept Kizashi 2 is an update of the Kizashi concept shown earlier this year at Frankfurt. Not a lot of information on what this car may become. All they said about it was that it had aggressive styling and big wheels, and could run on all types of terrain (they showed a cartoon version tracking through dirt and snow.) Apparently, the main point Suzuki is trying to drive home with this large, sporty crossover wagon is that they are strong enough design and engineer a large car. – Ed Loh

The Mud Master is a mini truck — and we mean mini, from its 134 inch overall length, to its 660cc three cylinder engine. But it’s packed with big truck ideas, including body-on-frame construction and a part-time all-wheel drive system with hub reduction gears that ensure an impressive 14.5in of ground clearance.

With large gullwing doors on either side, and a hatch at the rear, the Mud Master offers easy access to the load space. The body-on-frame construction means a pick-up version can also be easily built. A power take-off on the transmission means the Mud Master can be fitted with equipment such as a small crane or on-board generator. – Angus MacKenzie

Beyond looking like a miniature dump truck, the X-Head features an adaptive bed that can be fitted with a number of modules that serve different purposes. For example, a “Camper” module provides enough sleeping room for two adults, a “Fashion” module provides “stylish urban mobility”(whatever that means), and a “Rescue” module is equipped for, well, rescue operations in various conditions.

Logic says this is the follow-up to Honda’s much-loved original CRX coupe. But Honda says CR-Z stands for “Concept Renaissance Zero”. And what exactly does that mean? Well, to quote the press-kit: “…an expression intended to capture the idea of a renaissance in the design of compact cars that begins anew from fundamentals”. Huh?

Forget the Honda psycho-babble. The CR-Z is simply the CRX re-imagined for the 21st century. The tight, taut styling — among Honda’s better efforts — echoes the proportion and stance of the CRX, right down to the cut-off tail with its see-through vertical panel. It’s a much more substantial car than the original CR-X, however — those wheels are 19 inch diameter items.

The CR-Z appears to illustrate Honda president Takeo Fukui’s vision of Honda’s future: “Even when we produce environmentally friendly vehicles,” he says. “we want them to be fun to drive.” The powertrain is a gas-electric hybrid that Honda says delivers clean performance and a high level of torque.

More significantly, though, the CR-Z’s mechanical package is likely the forerunner of a range of all-new production hybrids Honda will launch in 2009. These cars, Fukui says, will be “more efficient and cheaper than existing hybrids”. In other words, Honda plans to take on Toyota‘s highly successful Prius with a whole range of hybrid models. – Angus MacKenzie

For you Subaru geeks out there, the chassis code is officially CBA-GRB, though that might just be the JDM model, which is different from the one we’re going to get in that it’s powered by a 2.0-liter 16-valve boxer 4 instead of the 2.5-liter in USDM models. Their version apparently makes around 300 horsepower at 6400rpm. The STI also features a 6-speed manual transmission, STI logo-ed 4-piston brakes (front) and 245/40 series tires, on 18-inch wheels. – Ed Loh

The LF-Xh uses the Lexus Hybrid Drive system — a combination of a high-output electric motor and a V6 gasoline engine — which will power all four wheels.

The LF-Xh’s styling seems to be relatively similar to Lexus’ current crop of SUVs, if not a bit more chiseled, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It sounds as if the concept could signal what could be the first production ultra-luxury hybrid SUV. Imagine the Lexus LS 600h L in sport ‘ute form.

Straight from the set of Blade Runner 3000 is Toyota’s Hi-CT, a four passenger plug-in hybrid and looks like some futuristic semi trailer. This front engine, front wheel drive trucklet uses a 1.5-liter gas engine and electric motor that can be recharged overnight at home and freshened up while you park work. That thing on the back looks like some Toyota’s version of a foldable Segway. No idea where they hide the miles of cord on these things.

Also in Toyota’s booth was the FT-MV, a concept that looks a lot closer to reality, particularly if you live in Japan, where these kinds of maxi-minivans are super popular. This 6-passenger, front engine, front wheel drive van features a 3.5-liter gasoline V-6 and follows in the tradition of other popular multi passenger vehicles like the Nissan El Grand and Honda Odyssey Stream.

The Audi Metroproject Quattro concept is a three-door, four-seat hatch with an outwardly aggressive attitude and stance. Audi’s bold, deep front grille is present along with glaring, narrow-eyed headlamps and deep lower air intakes. Aluminum accent trim adorns the pillars and roofline of the car and the coupe-like profile is neat and tidy. At the rear, two largish exhaust tips slot through the rear valance and a subtle roof spoiler is fitted.